The eastern heartland of Imo State is one of the most controversial states in the Eastern region of Nigeria. It also harbors the city with the busiest nightlife in the southeast “the oringo capital” with diverse lifestyles and colorful and entertaining people.
The Imo State people are known for their extravagant living which trickles down to their foods. They have a common philosophy towards life that loosely translates to mean that only the living can enjoy life, so wine and dine while you are alive.
It is almost taboo to visit this state and not taste one of their delicacies, the richness of the soups will have you coming back for more. Here are the top dishes we think you should try while in Imo state.
Ofe Owerri
A soup named after the state capital Owerri will come with all the extras you would imagine. You can bet on this and you won’t lose/ Ofe Owerri like the name originates from the Owerri region of Imo state. It is a royal delicacy that depicts wealth and affluence.
Legendary Igbo highlife musician Sir. Dr. Warrior in his album “ofe Owerri” stamped the royalty of soup when he asked the question “onye na ejighi ego, O na eri ofe Owerri’ which translates as “can a poor eat ofe Owerri”?
This shows the prestige it carries, if you visit an Owerri indigene and they serve you ofe Owerri, you are highly valued and honored.
Top Five Dishes from Abia State
Ofe Owerri is usually prepared with four different vegetable leaves, Okazi, Ugu, Uziza, and Oha, although Uziza, which is quite aromatic and Oha aren’t as popular as Ugu and Okazi. Some people use only Ugu and Okazi.
Another major ingredient used in the preparation of this delicacy is cocoyam which serves as a thickener. You’ll need to use the red Cocoyam alternatively, you can use Achi.
The richness of the soup comes from the quantity of meat that is used in preparing it.
Ofe Ugba
It is also called Ofe Ukpaka, Okwuru ugba, or just Ugba soup. It is native to the people of Owerri and Mbaise of Imo state.
It is just your regular Okro soup but with Ugba in the mix now. Ugba is a processed oil bean seed shredded in tiny places. It is not just the throwing in Ugba in the soup that makes it ofe Ugba, it is the procedure and taste after that makes it. It is special to the people of Mbaise in particular.
Porridge Yam with Ugba
Quite sure you must have tasted the regular porridge yam, but have you tasted this special recipe.
Yam porridge with ugba (oil bean) is one tasty meal native to the people of Imo state, it is quite common in the eastern region. It is a simple meal of yam, sometimes prepared with vegetables and Ugba as a special addon.
Ukwa
Ukwa is that coveted dish at Igbo events/occasions, you have to be among the one percent to be served this delicious delicacy. We can not say for certain the origin of the breadfruit, but it is a special delicacy to the Imo state people.
A pod of ukwa is as large as a watermelon, weighing as much as ten pounds. The fruits are hard and round, having more than a hundred seeds inside. Ukwa pods/fruits are left to fall without any external force after they must have ripened on the tree. Hence, the Igbo saying “Ukwa ruo oge ya, o daa”.
Five Top Dishes From Enugu State
Breadfruit is one of the most versatile food, it can be fried or roasted, it can be prepared as a porridge, or just ukwa with no condiments and it will still come out very tasty. Ukwa is not just a delicious meal that you savor, it has several health benefits as it is low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium.
One of the downsides to this meal is the length of time it takes to cook. It is usually prepared with a pressure pot or the addition of potash to tenderize the food.
However long it takes, it is definitely worth the wait.
Ofe Oha
Ofe Oha is one of the most popular Igbo traditional soups. It is not exclusive to Imo State alone. In fact, it is native to the people of Anambra as well so much that they can claim this soup. But we include oha soup for Imo State because of how much they value it in their communal gathering. It is rare to attend a traditional event that Ofe Oha is not served in Imo state.
Another reason oha is given to Imo is because Anambra’s embrace of bitterleafd soup, of onugbo, has seen them puutin a position where it seems like they have relinquished their hold on oha.
The soup’s main ingredient is the Oha leaf, which is a seasonal one making the soup something of a special dish. Though it is only the vegetable that differentiates the Oha Soup and the Bitterleaf Soup, they taste so different that it is hard to believe the difference just one ingredient can make in a recipe.
Follow us on Twitter
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.